Quest for Kwalish
/
Display

Act II: The Search for the Wreck

Once the party learns the Apparatus of Kwalish was lost at sea, the question becomes where.

Locals suggest two sources of information:

  • Long John at the Empty Net, an old pirate who once sailed the Javan Bay.

  • Barnacle Bob at the Tackle Shop on Sharkfin Bridge, a fisherman who’s heard every sea tale imaginable.

Both know of shipwrecks and both are talkative after a drink.

The Empty Net - Long John

embedded image
embedded image

Long John has never heard of the particular ship you are looking for, but does offer some suggestions.

“If ye be huntin’ a wreck, there’s two places to look.
One’ll smash yer hull on stone... the other’ll sing ye under.”


Raven Rocks (off Seaton)

“If it were a navy ship or merchant run, that means the Raven Rocks.
Those black teeth off Seaton have swallowed more ships than the Sea Princes ever did, ha! Many a fine sailor thought he could shave a day off his voyage, and the sea took ’im for his pride.”

Jagged basalt spires, sudden cross-winds, hidden reefs. A graveyard of shattered hulls and tangled rigging, long picked clean by scavengers.


The Tyrants (west of Jetsom Isle)

His grin fades; the laughter drains from his voice.

“Now, the Tyrants, that’s a different beast.
Four black fingers of stone, reachin’ straight outta the sea, tall as the clouds themselves. No beaches, no shoals, nothin’ but deep water and hungry caves below.

They say the caves ain’t empty neither... that sirens nest there...voices sweet as a lover’s promise, callin’ ships to the rocks in the middle o’ the storm.”

He takes a long swallow of rum, staring at nothing.

“I’ve heard their song once... thought I dreamt it, till I saw a ship turn her wheel right into the gale, sails full o’ madness. The sea don’t forgive fools or the curious.”


Pressed for His Opinion

When pressed, Long John scratches his beard and leans forward again, eyes glittering like wet coins.

“If she carried somethin’ precious... gold... she ain’t lyin’ in no reef.
She’s down there, under the Tyrants, deep, dark, and cursed.

If it's a king's ship, then she may have gone down on Raven Rocks, many a king's ship have run a foul upon those rocks."


Note:

  1. Cyrus, a Brotherhood spy, eavesdrops and reports to Skerrin Wavechaser.

  2. Long John later sends word to old Sea Princes contacts.

  3. If the party mentions the Apparatus or Mordenkainen, faction tension escalates immediately (see Factions).

Barnacle Bob — Sharkfin Bridge

embedded image
embedded image

Barnacle Bob gets excited when you want a tale about the sea.


Raven Rocks (off Seaton)

“Raven Rocks is a watery grave, too many captains try to cut time and end up cut to pieces. There are many wrecks sitting at the bottom, sea monsters too!"


The Tyrants (west of Jetsom Isle)

"The other place is the Tyrants, no beaches, only caves. I hear even the pirates stay far away from the Tyrants. Some say they call sailors to their grave. I bet old Long John would know all about the Tyrants, more of a pirate myth than anything else."


Pressed for His Opinion

Bob will suggest to get facts from either Captian Fireborn or the Mariner's Guild Hall.

“If ye want facts, not dockside talk, see Captain Fireborn. Man’s got a library thicker’n a whale’s hide. Lots of naval books, perhaps he may have information.


I would also try Mariners’ Guild Hall, they keep logs of every ship that ever went down. But you need to be a member or know someone. They don't take kindly to outsiders poking around."

Before they go he warns again:

“Monsters live in the deep. Raven Rocks or the Tyrants take a priest with ye, or a coffin.”


Note:

Bob, eager to stay Eliander Fireborns good side. Bob has been in the drunk tank on more than one occasion, so to buy some good will he later tells him that “some adventurers are nosin’ around about an old wreck.” This prompts Fireborn to summon or approach the party himself.

Whispers & Watchers

Saltmarsh is small; gossip travels faster than the tide.

Within days the heroes may notice:

  • A black-sailed ship anchored near Abbey Island.

  • Foreign sailors in the Empty Net asking about “a lost treasure.”

  • Hooded men following them through the alleys after dark.

Listener

Action

Consequence

Cyrus – Brotherhood spy

Reports to Skerrin

Brotherhood begins covert surveillance or assassination plots.

Long John

Sends word to Sea Prince contacts

Privateer The Gilded Fang sails north toward the Tyrants.

Kreb Shenker

Informs Gellan Primewater

Primewater activates smugglers to shadow or outbid the party.


Consequences of Loose Tongues

Who Learns What

Reaction

Scarlet Brotherhood

Begins active operations against or through the party.

Sea Princes

Dispatch privateers toward the Tyrants.

Primewater & Smugglers

Shadow the party, seeking profit or betrayal.

Crown of Keoland

Quietly alerted; news reaches the Circle of Eight.